Genetics and Society: BIOL. Z138-001
Dr. Patricia Dorn
Spring 2002

 

Office: Monroe 307 Office Hours: MW 2-4 p.m. and by appt. or drop in.
Phone: 865-3672 or 865-2288 (messages) Class meeting: MW 4:55 p.m. - 6:10 p.m. (MM2 or MO 343)
E-mail:dorn@loyno.edu Dr. Dorn's Web site
Course Web site
Text: Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications 4th Ed. Rickie Lewis, W.C. Brown, Pub.  Text web site

 
Tentative Schedule of Topics Readings, Questions
1/16 Introduction and pretest

Text links
1/21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday  
1/23 Overview of human genetics and nomenclature Ch. 1 Rev: 1, 4, 5, 8 App: 1, 4, 8, 10, 11
1/28 Components of cells, cell cycle and stem cells Ch. 2 Rev: 4, 6 App: 4, 5
1/30, 2/4Q1, 2/6 Human development and reproduction, reproductive technologies

Ch. 3: Rev: 2, 4, 7, 8 App: 1, 5, 8 Ch. 20

Anatomy & Reproduction
Contraception

2/11-2/13 Mardi Gras Holidays  
2/18Q2 Mammalian cloning Ch. 3 Nature journal, search on cloning
2/20, 2/25Q3, 2/27 Mendel’s Laws and pedigrees Ch. 4: Rev: 3 App: 2, 8
Pea Soup: the story of Mendel
3/4 Exam I Want a study partner? Write in to the discussion board.
3/6, 3/11Q4, 3/13  DNA structure and replication, PCR Ch. 8: App: 5
DNA from the Beginning

3/18Q5, 3/20

  Gene function Ch. 9: Rev: 2, 4, 7 App: 1, 4, 5
DNA from the Beginning
3/25-4/1 Easter Holiday  
4/3, 4/8Q6, 4/10 Genetics of cancer Ch. 16: Rev: 3, 4, 9 App: 4, 7, 9
Cancer Genetics
4/15 Exam 2  
4/17, 4/22Q7 Genetic engineering Ch. 17: Rev: 1a, b, c, 2, 3, 7 App: 1, 2, 3, 5
DNA from the Beginning
4/24, 4/29Q8, 5/1 Agriculture and Environmental Biotechnology Ch. 19: Rev: 2, 9, 10 App: 1, 3a, 4, 8 Genetically modified foods
5/6Q9, 5/8 The Human Genome Project Ch. 21: Rev: 6, 7 App: 6, 7
Kadi's Genome Gateway

 

Course Objectives:

1. Students will better understand the science of genetics and become more aware of the genetics issues that we as a society are facing.

2. Students will be better prepared for future career(s) and their roles as a citizens of this planet by learning to: work cooperatively with and teach and learn from each other; and participate in societal decisions concerning genetics.

3. Student's abilities in oral and written communication will be strengthened.

4. Students will better understand the process of scientific investigation.

5. Students will develop competency in finding information (including Internet use) and in reading, understanding and critically evaluating articles about science.

Course Policies:

Attendance will not be taken, however, since this course depends on everyone's active participation, you will miss much of the information in the class if you miss class. This will undoubtedly be reflected in your performance on quizzes and exams.

GRADING:
 
Almost Weekly Quizzes: (10 pts. ea., lowest dropped) 80 pts.
Hourly Exams (2, 100 pts. Ea.) 200 pts.
Class presentation 100 pts.
Other points 20 pts.
Final exam 100 pts.
Total possible points 500 pts.

Scale: A: 100-90%, B: 89-80%, C: 79-70%, D: 69-55%, F:<55%

OTHER POINTS:
Other points are NOT extra credit. These are included in your grade (see above). There are several ways to earn the "other points".  Each activity is worth 10 points. You must choose 2 different activities to earn the total points possible. You may:
 

  1. Present an article to the class about some aspect of Genetics and Society from the popular media (e.g. newspaper or  magazine). The presentation should be brief (3 min. or less) with time for questions. The New York Times Science Section is a good source of genetics articles. You must sign up to present (list posted outside my office). HINT:  Only ONE person may present each class period--so don't wait until the last few weeks to sign up. Turn in the article after your presentation, with your name on it, for credit.
  2. Find a web site relevant to the course and post this site to the class discussion board. Include a review of the site (at least 500 words) describing what you liked and didn't like about this site and how it is relevant to the course.
  3. Attend a Biology seminar, here or at one of the local universities. Turn in a page (single-spaced) write-up of the seminar THE NEXT CLASS MEETING and post to the class discussion board including: the name of the speaker, title of the seminar, the basic question(s) the investigator was addressing, what approach (experiments) was used to answer the question(s), what were the conclusions? did the data support the conclusions?  (This will be accepted only if it is turned posted on the discussion board before the next class meeting and contains all of the information listed above).
  4. Other ideas? I am open to discussing another ideas you may have for activities that help you to learn the course material and become more aware of the biology issues around you.
  5. Write and perform a song (or a dance?) about Genetics for the class.
  6. Write a short story or poem about issues in genetics or a person who has had a major impact in the field of genetics.
  7. Write a letter to your congressperson or senator about how you feel about a particular issue in genetics.
  8. Write a 1-page paper on how genetics relates to your particular field of interest. Turn in a hard copy and post to the class discussion board.
  9. Other ideas? Check with me. I’m very open to new and interesting ideas.
IMPORTANT  NOTICE:
Make-up exams or quizzes will NOT be given. Missed exams and quizzes will receive an automatic "0" unless I have been contacted prior to or on the day of and BEFORE the exam or quiz AND have determined that the reason for your absence warrants prorating that exam or quiz.  If there is no possibility you can contact me before the test (e.g. you are in the hospital), you have three days following the test to explain your absence. Exams may contain any of the prior material and the final is comprehensive so if you miss an exam or quiz you are still responsible for the information. No work will be accepted after the last class meeting. The honesty policy of this university as stated under "Integrity of Scholarship and Grades" in the Undergraduate Bulletin regarding cheating and plagiarism will be strictly followed. No work will be accepted after the last class meeting.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Students with disabilities who wish to receive accommodations in this class should contact Disability Services at 865-2990 as soon as possible so that warranted accommodations can be implemented in a timely fashion. Disability Services are located in the Academic Enrichment Center, Monroe Hall 405.



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Last updated 3/6/2002